Shoott is a professional photography service that offers free 30-minute outdoor photoshoots in over 60 U.S. cities, where you only pay for the digital photos you love. There is no session fee, no upfront cost, and no obligation to buy any photos.

Founded as a female-led small business, Shoott has completed 300,000+ sessions, works with a network of 900+ vetted professional photographers, and has delivered over 24 million photos to date. Shoott has been featured in Forbes, Good Housekeeping, People, Elle, Oprah Daily, Women's Health, The Knot, and Scary Mommy.

Shoott works in three simple steps: (1) Book a free 30-minute photoshoot at a pre-scouted outdoor location near you, (2) Show up and enjoy your session with a vetted local photographer, and (3) Receive a private gallery of 40+ lightly edited digital photos within 3 to 5 business days and pay only for the ones you love.

There is no session fee to book your first shoot, and your next session stays free as long as you spend $100 or more on photos from your previous gallery.

Yes, Shoott is a legitimate professional photography service and your 30-minute session is genuinely free to book. You do not pay anything until after the shoot, when you choose which photos (if any) to purchase from your gallery.

Shoott has a 4.9-star rating from 2,800+ Google reviews, has been featured in major national publications, and has completed over 300,000 sessions. The pay-by-the-pic model is the company's business: aggregating demand for photographers lets Shoott keep prices low and the booking process risk-free.

There is no hidden catch. Shoott photoshoots are free to book, photos are optional to buy, and a temporary pre-authorization check on your card is placed only to make sure you can cover potential late or no-show fees (it is never collected unless those fees apply).

The only requirements: spend at least $100 on photos to keep your next session free, show up on time, and cancel by 10:00 a.m. two days before your shoot if you cannot make it.

Shoott is a female-led small business co-founded by Jennifer Tsay and Jennifer Yeh, headquartered at 1178 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001. Shoott is a member of the Female Founder Collective and is LGBTQ+ friendly.

Shoott offers outdoor portrait photography across nearly every life moment, including family photos, maternity photos, newborn photos, engagement photos, graduation photos, birthday photos, pet photos, lifestyle portraits, fitness shoots, business headshots, acting headshots, and model portfolio sessions.

Sessions are for non-commercial use only. Commercial uses (stock photos, book covers, album covers, e-commerce product shots) are not permitted under a standard Shoott session.

Booking a Shoott photoshoot is free. You only pay for the digital photos you choose from your gallery: individual photos are $25 each, a 10-photo package is $199 (includes $20 in retouching credits), and the full gallery of 40+ photos is $299 (includes $40 in retouching credits).

There is no session fee, no booking fee, and no minimum purchase required on your first session.

Shoott can offer professional photoshoots at a fraction of traditional pricing because the platform aggregates demand and books photographers for full back-to-back days at a single location. That efficiency lets Shoott pay photographers industry-leading rates (averaging $150 per hour) while still keeping client pricing low.

A traditional family photoshoot typically costs $300 to $1,000+ upfront. With Shoott, the same quality is available for $25 per photo, with no upfront commitment.

No, you are not required to buy any photos from your Shoott gallery. There is no minimum order and no obligation to purchase.

If you spend less than $100 on your gallery (or buy nothing), you will be asked to make a small prepayment on your next session, which gets applied as credit toward future photo purchases.

Shoott asks for a prepayment in three situations: (1) you canceled, rescheduled last-minute, or no-showed your previous session, (2) you spent less than $100 on a recent gallery, or (3) you are booking back-to-back sessions or already have an upcoming session on the books.

The prepayment amount is $100 if you already have 1 session booked and $150 if you have 2 or more. Prepayments are non-refundable but apply as credit toward photos in your gallery.

The charge you see is a temporary pre-authorization hold, not an actual charge. It exists to make sure funds are available to cover potential late fees or no-show fees, and it is released automatically.

Shoott never collects this hold unless a fee is incurred. The pre-authorization is disclosed on the booking form when you enter your card details.

Shoott accepts all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Payment is processed securely through the Shoott platform when you select photos from your gallery.

Yes, Shoott's photo pricing is the same across all 60+ U.S. cities. Individual photos are $25 each, 10 photos are $199, and the full gallery of 40+ photos is $299 whether you book in New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu, or any other Shoott city.

Yes, Shoott gift cards are available for any dollar amount and can be applied toward photo purchases after a session. Gift cards are a popular choice for baby showers, weddings, graduations, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and the holidays. You can also check a gift card balance directly on the Shoott website.

To book a free Shoott photoshoot, visit shoott.com/book-a-session, select your city, choose an available date, time, and outdoor location, and complete the booking form. Sessions are bookable up to 90 days in advance, and you will receive an instant confirmation email.

If you need a specific date, time, or location that is not in the public calendar, you can book a custom session at shoott.com/custom.

You can book a standard Shoott session up to 90 days in advance. Popular dates (holidays, fall foliage, cherry blossom season, golden hour weekends) tend to fill up quickly, so booking earlier is recommended.

Standard pay-by-the-pic sessions are only available at Shoott's published dates, times, and locations. If you want to choose a specific date, time, or location that is not on the public schedule, book a custom session, which requires an upfront payment.

Custom sessions are ideal for engagements, milestone events, or specific lighting windows like sunrise or sunset.

You can cancel or reschedule any standard Shoott session free of charge up to 10:00 a.m. two days before your session. Use the link in your booking confirmation email to make changes yourself or email info@shoott.com.

Cancellations or reschedules after that cutoff incur a minimum $40 fee. Cancellations after 8:00 p.m. the day before your shoot, or no-shows, trigger an automatic $75 no-show fee.

For custom sessions, you must notify Shoott by 10:00 a.m. three days before the shoot for a full refund. Late changes forfeit the deposit.

Yes, you can book back-to-back or multiple Shoott sessions, but each 30-minute session generates its own gallery and is treated separately at checkout. Package discounts apply per gallery, not across multiple galleries.

If you already have one upcoming session and book another, a $100 prepayment is required. With 2+ existing bookings, the prepayment is $150. Prepayments are non-refundable and apply only to the gallery they are attached to.

Yes, you can book a Shoott session as a gift for someone else. The easiest way is to purchase a Shoott gift card, which the recipient can apply toward photos after their own session. You can also book directly under the recipient's name and email so they receive the gallery.

Shoott operates in over 60 U.S. cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Nashville, Charlotte, Honolulu, and many more.

Visit shoott.com to see the full list of cities and 600+ scouted outdoor locations available for booking.

Shoott photoshoots take place at 600+ scouted outdoor locations across the U.S., typically beautiful public parks, beaches, gardens, plazas, and iconic city landmarks. Shoott obtains permits where required and selects spots with strong natural light and varied backdrops.

Your exact meeting point is included in your booking confirmation email and is also texted to you by your photographer the day before your session.

Shoott primarily offers outdoor photoshoots. Studio or indoor sessions are not part of the standard pay-by-the-pic offering, but are available in select cities. You can also request an indoor or specialty location through a custom session at shoott.com/custom.

Yes, you can submit a location request through Shoott's contact form. Shoott regularly scouts new outdoor locations based on client demand, accessibility, and permit feasibility.

Currently, Shoott operates exclusively in the United States, with 60+ cities and 600+ outdoor locations. International expansion is not yet available.

A Shoott session is 30 minutes total, with approximately 25 minutes of active photographing. The remaining time is used by the photographer to move between sessions, since photographers are booked back-to-back to keep prices low.

Your session begins exactly at your booked time, so arriving 10 to 15 minutes early is strongly recommended.

Wear something that makes you feel confident, looks flattering, and allows you to move. Avoid overly stiff or tight clothing. Solid colors, soft patterns, and complementary outfits tend to photograph best, especially for families and groups.

Bring 1 to 2 light outfit changes (layers like jackets, scarves, or accessories work well in a 30-minute window). Avoid bulky outfit changes that take more than a minute or two.

Bring water, sunblock, a light snack, and any props or accessories that make the shoot feel personal. For sessions with infants or young children, bring favorite toys, blankets, and items that grab their attention.

For pet sessions, bring treats, water, and a favorite toy to help the photographer capture their best angles. Check the booking confirmation to see whether pets are permitted at your specific location.

Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your session start time to account for parking, navigation, and finding the meeting point. Your session begins exactly at the booked time, and active photographing only happens once you are ready at the meeting point.

If you are running late, text or call your photographer immediately. Arriving 10+ minutes late triggers a penalty fee and a required prepayment on your next booking.

No, Shoott does not provide hair and makeup services. Arrive camera-ready with hair and makeup done how you like. Most clients self-style and look fantastic, but professional styling is welcome if you prefer.

During a Shoott session, your photographer guides you through a variety of poses, angles, and scenic spots at the location for about 25 minutes of active shooting. The photographer directs posing, captures candid moments, and works quickly to give you maximum variety in 30 minutes.

You can share inspiration photos in advance via text with your photographer, who reaches out by 6:00 p.m. the day before your session.

Yes, bring whoever makes you happy: kids, pets, partners, parents, friends, or grandparents. Sessions allow up to 15 people per booking. Larger groups should book multiple sessions.

Always check the booking confirmation for local group size limits or location-specific rules (some parks and studios restrict large gatherings).

Yes, props are welcome and encouraged. Simple props like signs, balloons, flowers, or hand-held items work anywhere. For more involved props (smoke bombs, large setups), check with the location authority in advance, since some public spaces restrict them.

Your location authority and any restrictions are listed in your booking confirmation email.

If you are running late, text or call your photographer immediately so they can adjust. Arriving more than 10 minutes late incurs a late fee based on when your first photo is taken, plus a required prepayment for your next session.

Your arrival time is defined as the moment you are at the meeting point and ready to start shooting, not the moment you park or are en route.

Shoott operates rain or shine, so light rain or overcast skies are not grounds for cancellation. If you are not comfortable shooting in the elements, cancel before 10:00 a.m. two days prior to avoid the $40 cancellation fee.

In severe weather (lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards), Shoott proactively cancels for the safety of clients and photographers and will help you reschedule at no charge.

Yes, every Shoott photographer is a vetted professional. Shoott accepts only the top 2 to 5% of applicants after a multi-step interview and training process, and all photographers are background-checked.

The network includes 900+ active photographers experienced in lifestyle, family, maternity, newborn, engagement, fitness, headshot, and pet portraiture.

Shoott assigns photographers based on availability and skill match for your session type. Your assigned photographer will text you by 6:00 p.m. the day before your session to introduce themselves and confirm details.

You can continue the conversation with them in advance to share inspiration photos, special requests, or relevant context about your group.

For standard pay-by-the-pic sessions, you cannot request a specific photographer because photographer schedules change frequently. However, if you loved a past photographer, you can rebook them through a custom session, which requires upfront payment.

Shoott also offers a Top Photographers page where you can browse and book featured photographers directly.

Shoott uses a rigorous multi-step vetting process: portfolio review, photography skill assessment, in-person or video interview, background check, and a paid training period. Only 2 to 5% of applicants are accepted.

Photographers are evaluated on technical skill, posing direction, client communication, reliability, and ability to work efficiently in a 30-minute window.

Shoott photographers earn industry-leading rates averaging $150 per hour with a minimum guarantee of $100 per shooting hour. Because Shoott aggregates demand and books full back-to-back days, photographers get sustainable, regular work without the marketing and admin overhead of running their own business.

Yes, Shoott is actively recruiting new photographers. Apply at shoott.com/careers/join-us. Applicants go through a portfolio review, interview, background check, and paid training before accepting client sessions.

You will receive a private digital gallery of 40 or more lightly edited photos within 3 to 5 business days after your session. The exact count varies by session, but 40+ is the minimum as long as you arrive on time.

Photos are edited for lighting, color, and cropping. Heavier retouching (skin smoothing, blemish removal, body adjustments) is available as an add-on.

Your gallery is delivered to your booking email within 3 to 5 business days after your session. You will receive an email notification when the gallery is ready to view.

You have 7 days from delivery to view, share, and select photos to purchase. Shoott provides one free 7-day extension if you need more time.

Beyond that, you can extend in 7-day increments for $7 each. Galleries are not guaranteed to be retrievable after 60 days from initial delivery.

Yes, every photo in your gallery is lightly edited for lighting, color, and cropping before delivery. Heavier retouching (blemish removal, skin smoothing, body adjustments) is available as a paid add-on, and retouching credits are bundled into the 10-photo and full-gallery packages.

No, Shoott does not provide RAW or unedited files. This is standard practice in the professional photography industry, as RAW files are unfinished and do not represent the photographer's final work.

Your gallery already contains the strongest 40+ photos curated by your photographer for variety and quality. If you are looking for a specific moment that did not make the gallery, contact Shoott's customer service team. In some cases, Shoott can reach out to the photographer to check if additional shots exist.

Additional photos are not guaranteed and are at the photographer's discretion.

Shoott does not print photos in-house, but offers seasonal package deals with select print partners. Browse current print offers at shoott.com/services/gifts-and-offers.

Because you receive high-resolution digital files, you can also print through any provider you prefer.

Purchased photos are non-refundable. Double-check your cart before checkout to make sure you are selecting the photos you want.

If you experience a technical issue with download or delivery, contact Shoott's customer service team and they will help resolve it.

Yes, photos you have purchased can be shared anywhere for personal, non-commercial use. Photos you have not purchased cannot be posted or distributed, even with a watermark.

If you post unpurchased Shoott photos and are asked to remove them, you have 24 hours to comply before incurring a fine.

When you purchase a Shoott photo, you receive full non-commercial usage rights. You can print, share, and use the photo for personal purposes indefinitely.

Commercial use (stock photography, advertising, e-commerce, book or album covers) is not included and requires a separate licensing agreement.

Yes, you have full control over your photo privacy. In your gallery settings and at checkout, you can opt out of letting Shoott or your photographer post your images on websites, portfolios, or social media.

If you do not opt out, Shoott and the photographer may use the images for marketing or portfolio purposes. Your photos are never sold to third parties.

No, Shoott does not use client photos to train artificial intelligence models, and Shoott does not use facial recognition or biometric tracking on your images.

Shoott uses industry-standard security safeguards to protect photos and personal data, never sells personal information, and follows responsible data handling practices. Read the full privacy policy on the Shoott website.

Yes, maternity photos are one of Shoott's most popular categories. A 30-minute outdoor session is enough time for multiple poses, locations within the spot, and a light outfit change. Many clients book around 30 to 36 weeks for the best balance of bump visibility and comfort.

Yes, Shoott offers newborn-friendly outdoor sessions, though traditional swaddled studio newborn shoots are not part of the standard offering. Outdoor lifestyle newborn photos with the family are the most popular setup.

Yes, engagement photos are a top use case for Shoott. If you want a secret proposal shoot at a specific date, time, or location, book a custom session at shoott.com/custom so you can lock in the exact details. Standard sessions work great for engagement portraits after the proposal.

Yes, Shoott is a popular choice for graduation portraits. Sessions work for high school, college, and graduate school grads in cap and gown. Book early in spring graduation season, since dates fill quickly.

Yes, family photos are Shoott's most-booked category. Sessions accommodate up to 15 people, work well with young kids and pets, and deliver 40+ photos in 3 to 5 business days at a fraction of the cost of traditional family photographers.

Yes, Shoott offers professional business headshots and acting headshots as part of the standard offering. Sessions are outdoors with natural light, which works well for modern, approachable headshot styles. For traditional studio headshots, book a custom session.

Yes, Shoott is a popular pick for first birthdays, milestone birthdays (30, 40, 50, etc.), retirement portraits, and other life events. Sessions accommodate decorations, props, balloons, and small parties up to 15 people.

Yes, pets are welcome at Shoott sessions, and pet photos are a popular standalone category. Bring treats, water, and a favorite toy to help your photographer capture their best angles.

Always confirm pet-friendly policies for your specific location, which are listed in your booking confirmation email.

Yes, Shoott can accommodate corporate headshot days and team brand shoots through custom sessions. Custom sessions let you lock in a specific date, time, and location and accommodate teams of any size with proper planning. Contact Shoott directly for corporate inquiries.

Shoott gift cards are available for any dollar amount and are emailed to the recipient with simple redemption instructions. The recipient books a free session and applies the gift card balance at checkout when selecting photos.

Check a gift card balance at shoott.com/gift-card-balance.

Yes, Shoott runs an affiliate program at shoott.com/affiliate where partners can earn commission on referred bookings. Sign up directly on the affiliate page to get started.

Yes, Shoott partners with brands and content creators through its partnerships program. Inquiries can be submitted at shoott.com/partnerships.

You can reach Shoott customer support through the contact form at shoott.com/contact or email them directly at info@shoott.com. The Shoott team is based in New York and typically responds within 1 business day or sooner for same-day session issues.

Log into your Shoott account at myaccount.shoott.com using the email address you used to book your session. From your account, you can view past galleries, manage upcoming bookings, update payment methods, and request gallery extensions.

All Shoott policies, including cancellation, weather, lateness, multiple bookings, and privacy, are published at shoott.com/policies. Specific links are also embedded in your booking confirmation email.

After your session, Shoott will send a feedback request via SMS where you can rate your photographer and the overall experience. You can also leave a public Google review for Shoott, which helps the small business and rewards your photographer.